Information display apparatus, information providing apparatus, and communication system

ABSTRACT

A communication system includes an information display apparatus and an information providing apparatus which perform communication with each other. The information display apparatus transmits, through the network, an information transmission request for requesting transmission of specific information related to the information providing apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication, receives the specific information transmitted, through the network, from the information providing apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication, as a response to the information transmission request, and controls a display unit to display the specific information received as the response to the information transmission request.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2012-214208, filed on Sep. 27, 2012, the entire subject matter of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present invention relate to an information providingapparatus, an information display apparatus which are connected to anetwork.

BACKGROUND

There has been known a system where setting information of an imageforming apparatus is displayed on an operation panel of another imageforming apparatus connected to the same LAN (for example,JP-A-2006-79353). In this system, the setting information is transmittedthrough the LAN from the image forming apparatus to the other imageforming apparatus for displaying the setting information.

However, when the network addresses of the image forming apparatuses aredifferent from each other between the image forming apparatuses, itwould be not possible to perform unicast communication, so that thesetting information cannot be transmitted to the image forming apparatusfor display.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a technique ofreliably providing information from an information providing apparatusconnected to a network to an information display apparatus.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided an information display apparatus configured to communicateimage data with an information providing apparatus through a network.The information display apparatus includes a processor, and memorystoring computer-readable instructions, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the informationdisplay apparatus to execute operations. The operations includetransmitting, through the network, an information transmission requestfor requesting transmission of specific information related to theinformation providing apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connectedto the network by broadcast communication, receiving the specificinformation transmitted, through the network, from the informationproviding apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to thenetwork by broadcast communication, as a response to the informationtransmission request, and controlling a display unit to display thespecific information received as the response to the informationtransmission request.

According to this configuration, the information display apparatustransmits the information transmission request by broadcastcommunication, and receives the specific information from theinformation providing apparatus having received the informationtransmission request by broadcast communication. Therefore, even whennetwork setting of the information providing apparatus or theinformation display apparatus is not appropriate, and thus, unicastcommunication between those apparatuses cannot be performed, thespecific information can be reliably provided from the informationproviding apparatus to the information display apparatus.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present invention,there is provided an information providing apparatus configured tocommunicate image data with an information display apparatus through anetwork. The information providing apparatus includes a processor, andmemory storing computer-readable instructions, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the informationproviding apparatus to execute operations. The operations includereceiving an information transmission request transmitted, through thenetwork, from the information display apparatus to a plurality ofapparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication, theinformation transmission request requesting transmission of specificinformation related to the information providing apparatus, andtransmitting, through the network, the specific information to aplurality of apparatuses connected to the network by broadcastcommunication in response to receiving the information transmissionrequest.

According to this configuration, if the information transmission requesttransmitted from the information display apparatus by broadcastcommunication is received, in response to the information transmissionrequest, the information providing apparatus transmits the specificinformation by broadcast communication. Therefore, even when networksetting of the information providing apparatus or the informationdisplay apparatus is not appropriate, and thus, unicast communicationbetween those apparatuses cannot be performed, the specific informationcan be reliably provided from the information providing apparatus to theinformation display apparatus.

Also, the inventive concept of the present invention can be implementedin various forms such as an information display program, an informationproviding program, non-transitory computer-readable media having theinformation display program or the information providing programrecorded thereon, a communication system including the informationdisplay apparatus and the information providing apparatus, aninformation display method, and an information providing method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will become moreapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofillustrative embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configurations of amulti-function peripheral (MFP) and a communication control device(BOX);

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory views illustrating communication betweenthe MFP and the BOX;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a display process; and

FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory views illustrating setting screens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, illustrative embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments ofthe present invention are not limited to the following illustrativeembodiments, and various forms can be used as long as they are includedin the technical scope of the present invention.

[1. Overall Configuration]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a multi-function peripheral (MFP)10 and a communication control device (BOX) 30 which configure acommunication system 1 according to the present illustrative embodiment.The MFP 10 and the BOX 30 form one pair, and in each of the MFP 10 andthe BOX 30, identification information (MAC address) of anotherapparatus paired with the corresponding apparatus is stored.

The MFP 10 and the BOX 30 are wireless LAN clients capable of datacommunication based on TCP/IP by wireless communication of a wirelessLAN scheme. A wireless LAN access point (AP) 50 is a known wireless LANaccess point capable of data communication by wireless communication ofthe wireless LAN scheme. The wireless LAN scheme is, for example, acommunication scheme which is defined by IEEE standards 802.11a/b/g/n.

In wireless communication of the wireless LAN scheme, two communicationmodes are provided, that is, an ad hoc mode (also referred to as an Admode) and an infrastructure mode (also referred to as an Inf mode). TheMFP 10 and the BOX 30 can perform communication in either mode.

The Inf mode is a mode in which wireless LAN clients performcommunication through a wireless LAN access point, and in the presentillustrative embodiment, as an example, communication based on Wi-Fi isperformed. In a case of performing communication in the Inf mode, theMFP 10 and the BOX 30 are connected together with a PC 70, a mobiledevice 71 to a wireless LAN through an AP 50 (see FIG. 2A).

Meanwhile, the Ad mode is a mode in which direct communication isperformed between wireless LAN clients, and in the present illustrativeembodiment, between the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, as an example,peer-to-pear communication based on Wi-Fi is performed.

The MFP 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a flash memory 14, awireless LAN communication control circuit 17, and a memory cardreader/writer 22. Further, the MFP 10 includes an inkjet type printer 20provided at a lower portion, a flatbed type scanner 21 provided at anupper portion, and an operation panel provided at an upper portion ofthe front surface and including operation keys 18 and an LCD 19.

The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the flash memory 14 areconnected to one another through a bus line 15. The wireless LANcommunication control circuit 17, the operation keys 18, the LCD 19, theprinter 20, the scanner 21, the memory card reader/writer 22, and thebus line 15 are connected to one another through an input/output port16.

The CPU 11 controls each function or each component connected to theinput/output port 16 according to fixed values or programs stored in theROM 12 or the like, or various signals which are transmitted or receivedthrough the wireless LAN communication control circuit 17.

The ROM 12 stores a variety of data such as programs which are forperforming various processes and are executed in the MFP 10. The flashmemory 14 stores various setting values related to the wireless LAN,such as the IP address and MAC address of the MFP 10, and the IP addressand MAC address of the BOX 30 paired with the MFP 10. Further, atmanufacturing, the setting values related to the wireless LAN may bestored such that the MFP 10 and BOX 30 forming a pair can perform datacommunication with each other in the Ad mode.

The wireless LAN communication control circuit 17 includes an antenna 17a for the wireless LAN, and transmits or receives digital signals to orfrom another communication apparatus (for example, the BOX 30, the AP50, or the like) by wireless communication of the wireless LAN scheme.

Meanwhile, the BOX 30 performs control on communication using atelephone network 60, and is connected to the telephone network 60. TheBOX 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a flash memory 34, awireless LAN communication control circuit 37, a DCLtransmitting/receiving unit 38, a modem 39, and an NCU 40.

The CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the flash memory 34 areconnected to one another by a bus line 35. The wireless LANcommunication control circuit 37, the DCL transmitting/receiving unit38, the modem 39, the NCU 40, and the bus line 35 are connected to oneanother by an input/output port 36.

The CPU 31 controls each function and controls each component connectedto the input/output port 36 according to fixed values or programs storedin the ROM 32 or the like, or various signals which are transmitted orreceived through the wireless LAN communication control circuit 37.

The ROM 32 stores a variety of data such as programs which are forperforming various processes and are executed in the BOX 30. The flashmemory 34 stores various setting values related to the wireless LAN,such as the IP address and MAC address of the BOX 30, and the IP addressand MAC address of the MFP 10 paired with the BOX 30. Further, atmanufacturing, the setting values related to the wireless LAN may bestored such that the MFP 10 and BOX 30 forming a pair can perform datacommunication with each other in the Ad mode.

The wireless LAN communication control circuit 37 includes an antenna 17a for the wireless LAN, and transmits or receives digital signals to orfrom another communication apparatus (for example, the MFP 10, the AP50, or the like) by wireless communication of the wireless LAN scheme.

The DCL transmitting/receiving unit 38 performs wireless communicationwith a cordless handset (not shown) through a DCL antenna (not shown),thereby operating a telephone function.

The modem 39 modulates document data to be transmitted by a facsimilefunction into a signal which is transmittable to the telephone network60, and transmits the modulated signal, or receives a signal input fromthe telephone network 60 through the NCU 40, and demodulates thereceived signal into document data.

[2. Outline of Process]

Subsequently, the operations of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 will bedescribed. As described above, the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 are configuredto operate in a pair. An example of functions which are implemented bythat operation includes a facsimile transmitting function in which theMFP 10 reads image data by the scanner 21 and transmits the image datato the BOX 30 through a wireless LAN, and the BOX 30 transmits the imagedata to the telephone network 60. Instead of reading images by thescanner 21, the MFP 10 may read image data from a memory card by use ofthe memory card reader/writer 22, or may receive image data from the PC70 or the like.

In addition to the facsimile transmitting function, an example offunctions which are implemented by that operation includes a facsimilereceiving function in which the BOX 30 transmits image data receivedfrom the telephone network 60, to the MFP 10 through the wireless LAN,and the MFP 10 prints the image data by the printer 20. Further, insteadof printing the image data by the printer 20, the MFP 10 may store theimage data in a memory card by use of the memory card reader/writer 22,or may transmit the image data to the PC 70 or the like.

In the present illustrative embodiment, the BOX 30 does not includeoperation keys and an LCD, and the MFP 10 paired with the BOX 30 andconnected to the BOX 30 through a wireless LAN may be used to performsetting of the BOX 30. Further, when the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 performcommunication in the Inf mode through the wireless LAN, the MFP 10 andthe BOX 30 perform communication with each other through the AP 50.

Here, it is assumed that the IP address of the MFP 10 is set to192.168.51.1, the IP address of the BOX 30 is set to 192.168.11.1, andthe IP address of the AP 50 is set to 192.168.0.1, and thus, the networkaddresses of these apparatuses are different from one another (see FIG.2A). Further, it is assumed that the MFP 10 transmits a packet to atransmission destination IP address which is the IP address 192.168.11.1of the BOX 30 by unicast communication. Furthermore, it is assumed thatthe AP 50 has a gateway function.

In this case, since the network address 192.168.11.00 of thetransmission destination IP address is different from the networkaddress 192.168.0.0 of the AP 50, the AP 50 transmits the packet toanother network, and thus the packet does not reach the BOX 30. Also,when the BOX 30 transmits a packet to the MFP 10 by unicastcommunication, due to the same reason, the packet does not reach the MFP10 (see FIG. 2B).

That is, when setting related to a network, such as an IP address, inthe MFP 10 or the BOX 30 is not appropriate, unicast communicationbetween the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 cannot be performed. Therefore, theMFP 10 cannot be used to change the network-related setting of the BOX30. Further, since the BOX 30 does not have an operation unit or thelike, there is a concern that communication between the MFP 10 and theBOX 30 cannot be recovered.

In contrast, in the present illustrative embodiment, when an apparatusconnected to the wireless LAN transmits a packet by broadcastcommunication while designating a transmission destination IP address to255.255.255.255, the AP 50 transmits the packet to all apparatusesconnected to the wireless LAN (see FIG. 2B). Therefore, when the MFP 10is used to change a setting value of a network-related item (networkitem) of the BOX 30, a packet (broadcast packet) having transmissiondestination IP address of 255.255.255.255 is used to perform broadcastcommunication between the MFP 10 and the BOX 30.

Therefore, even if the setting value of a network item of the MFP 10 orthe BOX 30 is inappropriate, it is possible to reliably transmit andreceive packets between the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, and it becomespossible to use the MFP 10 to change the setting values of the networkitems of the BOX 30 into appropriate values.

The network items, for example, may include a BootMethod (IP addressacquiring method), an IP address, a Subnet mask, a Gateway address, andthe like. Setting values settable for the BootMethod may include a“STATIC” for manually setting an IP address, and an “AUTO” forautomatically setting an IP address by DHCP or the like.

[3. Setting Process]

Subsequently, a setting process of setting the network items of the MFP10 or the BOX 30 through the operation keys 18 of the MFP 10 will bedescribed in detail with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 3. Thefollowing process is implemented by the operations of the CPU 11 of theMFP 10 and the CPU 31 of the BOX 30 according to programs stored in theROMs 12, 32.

If the CPU 11 of the MFP 10 receives a request for setting the networkitems of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, through the operation keys 18, theCPU 11 generates a setting information acquisition request, andtransmits the setting information acquisition request to the wirelessLAN (Step S100). The setting information acquisition request is abroadcast packet for requesting the BOX 30 to provide the currentsetting values of the network items.

Here, the MFP 10 is configured to monitor and control the BOX 30 bySNMP, and the broadcast packet has a structure based on the SNMP. TheSNMP is provided with a command “GET REQUEST” which is used to acquireinformation from an apparatus, and a command “SET REQUEST” which is usedto change setting of an apparatus. Normally, it can be considered to usethe command “GET REQUEST” as the setting information acquisitionrequest. However, in transmitting the command “GET REQUEST” by broadcastcommunication, there is a problem in protocol (to be described below indetail). Therefore, in the present illustrative embodiment, the command“SET REQUEST” is used as the setting information acquisition request.

In the setting information acquisition request, an object ID (OID) whichis “TCP/IP Get” representing a request for acquiring the current settingvalues of the network items is designated, and the MAC address of theBOX 30 is set corresponding thereto. Also, an OID corresponding to eachof the network items (BootMethod, IP address, Subnet mask, Gatewayaddress, and the like) of the BOX 30 is designated.

Meanwhile, if the CPU 31 of the BOX 30 receives the setting informationacquisition request, the CPU 31 determines whether the MAC address whichis a setting value corresponding to the “TCP/IP Get” matches the MACaddress of the BOX 30 (Step S105). When the result of the determinationis positive (Yes in Step S105), the CPU 31 generates current settinginformation which is a broadcast packet including the current settingvalues of the network items, and transmits the current settinginformation to the wireless LAN (Step S110).

As described above, the CPU 11 of the MFP 10 transmits the settinginformation acquisition request using the command “SET REQUEST” in StepS100. The reason is that in the SNMP, when “GET REQUEST” is used as acommand, the BOX 30 can perform unicast communication in response to“GET REQUEST”, but cannot perform broadcast communication. Meanwhile,when “SET REQUEST” is used as a command, the BOX 30 can perform not onlyunicast communication but also broadcast communication. In Step S110,the CPU 31 of the BOX 30 transmits the current setting information whichis a broadcast packet, to the wireless LAN. In order to cause Step S110to be enabled, the CPU 11 of the MFP 10 transmits the settinginformation acquisition request using “SET REQUEST” (Step S100).

In Step S110, “SET REQUEST” is used as the current setting information.Further, in the current setting information, an OID “TCP/IP Update”representing a request for updating the setting values of the networkitems is designated, and the MAC address of the MFP 10 is setcorresponding thereto. Also, OIDs corresponding to the individualnetwork items of the BOX 30 are designated, and the current settingvalues of the BOX 30 is set corresponding to those OIDs.

The current setting information is to provide the current setting valuesof the network items from the BOX 30 to the MFP 10, and does not requestupdating of the setting values, but the OID “TCP/IP Update” isdesignated. It is noted that the designation of “TCP/IP Update” in thecurrent setting information is slightly different from an originalusage.

If the CPU 11 of the MFP 10 receives the current setting information,the CPU 11 determines whether the MAC address which is a setting valuecorresponding to “TCP/IP Update” matches the MAC address of the MFP 10(Step S115). When the result of the determination is positive (Yes inStep S115), the CPU 11 performs a display process (to be described belowin detail) for changing the settings of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 (StepS120).

In Step S125, the CPU 11 determines whether the setting value of anynetwork item of the BOX 30 is changed by the display process. When theresult of the determination is positive (Yes in Step S125), the CPU 11generates new setting information which is a broadcast packet forrequesting the BOX 30 to update the network items with the changedsetting value (new setting value), and transmits the new settinginformation to the wireless LAN (Step S130).

The “SET REQUEST” is used as the new setting information, and in the newsetting information, the “TCP/IP Update” is designated, and the MACaddress of the BOX 30 is set corresponding thereto. Also, OIDscorresponding to the individual network items of the BOX 30 aredesignated, a new setting value of the BOX 30 is set corresponding tothe OID of the changed network item, and the current setting values ofthe BOX 30 are set corresponding to the OIDs of the other network items.

In Step S135, when the CPU 11 receives changing of the setting value ofa network item of the MFP 10 by the display process, the CPU 11 updatesthe network item with the new setting value.

In Step S140, the CPU 11 determines whether the item BootMethod ischanged from “STATIC” to “AUTO”. When the result of the determination ispositive (Yes in Step S140), the CPU 11 waits for reception of the IPaddress of the BOX 30 updated by an IP address providing server (updatedIP address). Meanwhile, when the result of the determination is negative(No in Step S140), the CPU 11 transmits a packet whose transmissiondestination is the new setting value of the IP address of the BOX 30(the current setting value when the IP address is not changed), byunicast communication (Step S170). Then, the CPU 11 waits for a responseto the packet from the BOX 30, and the process proceeds to Step S175.

Meanwhile, if the CPU 31 of the BOX 30 receives the new settinginformation, the CPU 31 determines whether the MAC address which is asetting value corresponding to “TCP/IP Update” matches the MAC addressof the BOX 30 (Step S145). When the result of the determination ispositive (Yes in Step S145), the CPU 31 updates the network item withthe new setting value included in the new setting information (StepS150).

Subsequently, the CPU 31 determines whether the item BootMethod ischanged from “STATIC” to “AUTO” (Step S155). When the result of thedestination is positive (Yes in Step S155), in Step S160, the CPU 31acquires the IP address of the BOX 30, the Gateway address, and the likefrom the IP address providing server connected to the wireless LAN, andupdates the IP address (Step S160).

Then, in Step S165, the CPU 31 generates updated IP address informationwhich is a broadcast packet including the updated IP address, andtransmits the updated IP address information to the wireless LAN. The“SET REQUEST” is used as the updated IP address information, and in theupdated IP address information, the “TCP/IP Update” is designated, andthe MAC address of the MFP 10 is set corresponding thereto. An OIDcorresponding to the IP address of the BOX 30 is designated, and theupdated IP address of the BOX 30 is set corresponding to that OID.

The CPU 11 of the MFP 10 having received the updated IP addressinformation determines whether the MAC address which is a setting valuecorresponding to “TCP/IP Get” matches the MAC address of the MFP 10.When the result of the determination is positive, the CPU 11 stores theupdated IP address set in the updated IP address information, as the IPaddress of the BOX 30 in the flash memory 14. Thereafter, the CPU 11transmits a packet whose transmission destination is the updated IPaddress, by unicast communication, thereby notifying the BOX 30 that theIP address is updated (Step S170), and the CPU 11 waits for a responseto the packet from the BOX 30, and the process proceeds to Step S175.Meanwhile, when the result of the determination is negative, the CPU 11repeats the determination until the result of the determination becomespositive.

In Step S175, the CPU 11 determines whether a response is received fromthe BOX 30. When a response cannot be received (Yes in Step S175), theCPU 11 considers that a connection error has occurred, generates anprevious setting information which is a broadcast packet for requestingthe BOX 30 to return the network items to the original setting values(previous setting values), and transmits the previous settinginformation to the wireless LAN (Step S180).

The “SET REQUEST” is used as the previous setting information. In theprevious setting information, the “TCP/IP Update” is designated, and theMAC address of the BOX 30 is set corresponding thereto. Further, OIDscorresponding to the individual network items of the BOX 30 aredesignated and a previous setting value is set corresponding to the OIDof a network item having been changed to a new setting value, andcurrent setting values are set corresponding to the OIDs of the othernetwork items.

Meanwhile, if the CPU 31 of the BOX 30 receives the previous settinginformation, the CPU 31 determines whether the MAC address which is asetting value corresponding to the “TCP/IP Update” matches the MACaddress of the BOX 30. When the result of the determination is positive,the CPU 31 updates the network item having updated with the new settingvalue, with the previous setting value included in the previous settinginformation (Step S185).

In the meantime, in the setting information acquisition request, the newsetting information, and the previous setting information, the MACaddress of the BOX 30 is set. However, instead of the MAC address of theBOX 30, the MAC address of the MFP 10 may be set. In this case, it canbe considered in Step S105, S145, or S185 that the BOX 30 determineswhether the MAC address set in the broadcast packet matches the MACaddress of the MFP 10 stored in the flash memory 34.

Also, in the current setting information and the updated IP addressinformation, the MAC address of the MFP 10 is set. However, instead ofthe MAC address of the MFP 10, the MAC address of the BOX 30 may be set.In this case, it can be considered in Step S115 or S170 that the MFP 10determines whether the MAC address set in the broadcast packet matchesthe MAC address of the BOX 30 stored in the flash memory 14.

Also, instead of the MAC addresses, serial IDs uniquely set for the MFP10 and the BOX 30 may be used, or other information such asauthentication information set for the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 making apair may be used. Even in this case, the same effects can be achieved.

[4. Display Process]

Subsequently, the display process of receiving change of the settingvalues of the network items of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 (the processwhich is performed in Step S120 of the setting process) will bedescribed with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

The CPU 11 of the MFP 10 compares the current setting value of eachnetwork item of the MFP 10 with the current setting value of acorresponding network item of the BOX 30 (Step S200), and the processproceeds to Step S205.

Here, if the setting values of the MFP 10 are not the same as thesetting values of the BOX 30, the CPU 11 sets network items (such as theBootMethod, the Subnet mask, and the Gateway address) which have apossibility of causing normal communication between the MFP 10 and theBOX 30 unable, as common items. Also, the CPU 11 sets network items(such as the IP address) other than the common items, as individualitems.

In Step S205, the CPU 11 determines whether there is any common itemwhose current setting values do not match each other between the MFP 10and the BOX 30. When the result of the determination is positive (Yes inStep S205), the process proceeds to Step S210, whereas when the resultof the determination is negative (No in Step S205), the process proceedsto Step S215.

In Step S210, with respect to the common item whose current settingvalues do not match each other between the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, theCPU 11 displays information representing that the current setting valuesdo not match each other, on the LCD 19. Then, the process proceeds toStep S215.

In Step S215, the CPU 11 displays a setting screen for changing thecurrent setting values of the network items of the MFP 10 and the BOX30, on the LCD 19. Then, the process proceeds to Step S220.

As examples of the setting screen, FIG. 5A shows a setting screen 300when the BootMethod is “AUTO”, and FIG. 5B shows a setting screen 310when the BootMethod is “STATIC”.

As shown in the setting screens 300 and 310, with respect to anindividual item (IP address), display sections are separately providedfor the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, and the current setting values of the MFP10 and the BOX 30 are separately displayed. Meanwhile, with respect toeach common item (such as the BootMethod), one display section isprovided. When the current setting values of a common item match eachother between the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, either one of current settingvalues is displayed, whereas when the current setting values of a commonitem do not match each other, the current setting value of the MFP 10 isdisplayed (it is noted that the current setting value of the BOX 30 maybe displayed).

When the BootMethod is “AUTO”, since automatic setting of IP addressesand gateway addresses is performed, the IP address of the BOX 30 and theGateway address become unchangeable. Therefore, on the setting screen300, the setting values of the IP address and the Gateway address of theBOX 30 are displayed in a mode different from that of the other items (amode different in background), whereby it is indicated that the IPaddress of the BOX 30 and the Gateway address cannot be changed.

The user can change the IP address and the Subnet mask of the MFP 10 inthe setting screen 300. If the user changes the IP address of the MFP10, in response to the corresponding changing operation, the BootMethodis changed from “AUTO” to “STATIC”. Also, if the user changes the Subnetmask, according to the changed Subnet mask, for example, a screen likethe setting screen 310 (to be described below in detail) is displayed.It is noted that, in the setting screen 300, the IP address of the MFP10 and the Subnet mask may be unchangeable.

When the BootMethod is “STATIC”, it is set to be not possible todirectly change network portions of the setting values of the IP addressof the BOX 30 and the Gateway address (to be described below in detail).Therefore, in the setting screen 310, the network portions are displayedin a mode different from that of the other potions (a mode different inbackground), whereby it is indicated that the values of those networkportions cannot be directly changed.

In Step S220, the CPU 11 determines whether an operation to change thecurrent setting values of the network items is received through theoperation keys 18. When changing operation is received (Yes in StepS220), the process proceeds to Step S225, whereas when changingoperation is not received (No in Step S220), the CPU 11 terminates thepresent process.

In Step S225, the CPU 11 updates the current setting values displayedcorresponding to the network items, with the new setting values input bythe changing operation, on the setting screen.

Here, the operation for changing the current setting values will bedescribed below in detail. The CPU 11 receives an operation to changethe current setting value of a network item, through the operation keys18, and updates the corresponding current setting value displayed on thesetting screen, with a new setting value, in response to the changingoperation.

With respect to each common item, the CPU 11 considers that new settingvalues are simultaneously input for the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 bychanging operation. It is noted that the current setting values of theMFP 10 and the BOX 30 related to each common item may be separatelydisplayed on the setting screen, and an operation to change each of thecurrent setting values may be separately received.

As described above, when the BootMethod is “AUTO”, the CPU 11 does notreceive an operation to change the IP address and the Gateway address ofthe BOX 30.

Further, when the BootMethod is “STATIC”, the network portions of the IPaddress of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 and the Gateway address are changedin conjunction with each other.

That is, if the CPU 11 receives an operation to change the networkportion of the IP address of the MFP 10, the CPU 11 considers that thesame operation is also performed on the network portions of the IPaddress of the BOX 30 and the Gateway address. Therefore, in response tothe changing operation, the CPU 11 simultaneously updates the networkportions of the IP address of the MFP 10, the IP address of the BOX 30,and the Gateway address, on the setting screen. When receiving thechanging operation, the CPU 11 considers that new setting values withthe changed network portions are simultaneously input with respect tothe IP address of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 and the Gateway address.

With respect to each of the host portions of the IP address of the BOX30 and the Gateway address (portions except the network portions), theCPU 11 separately receives a changing operation.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the abovedescribed changing operation, and when the BootMethod is “STATIC”, inconjunction with an operation to change the network portion of the IPaddress of the BOX 30 or the Gateway address, the network portion of theIP address of the MFP 10 and the like may be changed. Also, without suchconjunction operation, an operation to change each of the setting valuesof the IP address of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 and the Gateway addressmay be separately received.

In Step S230, the CPU 11 determines whether the current setting value ofthe BootMethod (new setting value when an operation to change theBootMethod is performed) is “STATIC”. When the result of thedetermination is positive (Yes in Step S230), the process proceeds toStep S235, whereas when the result of the determination is negative (Noin Step S230), the CPU 11 terminates the display process.

In Step S235, the CPU 11 computes the network addresses of the MFP 10,the BOX 30, and the Gateway based on the new setting values of the IPaddress of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30, the Subnet mask, and the Gatewayaddress (current setting values when an operation to change thesenetwork items is not performed). Then, based on the result of thecomputation, the CPU 31 determines whether the MFP 10, the BOX 30, andthe Gateway are located in the same network. When the result of thedetermination is positive (Yes in Step S235), the process proceeds toStep S240, whereas when the result of the determination is negative (Noin Step S235), the process proceeds to Step S250.

When an operation to change the IP address of the MFP 10 is performed,in Step S240, the CPU 11 determines whether the new setting value of theIP address (new IP address) of the MFP 10 is currently used by anotherapparatus, according to an address resolution protocol (ARP).

Specifically, the CPU 11 transmits a broadcast packet designating thenew IP address as a communication counterpart in accordance with theARP, and waits for reception of a packet including the MAC address of anapparatus for which the new IP address is set in response to thebroadcast packet.

When a response is obtained, the CPU 11 considers that the new IPaddress of the MFP 10 is currently used (Yes in Step S240), and theprocess proceeds to Step S250. Meanwhile, when any response is notobtained, the CPU 11 considers that the new IP address of the MFP 10 isnot currently used (No in Step S240), and the process proceeds to StepS245.

When an operation to change the IP address of the BOX 30 is performed,in Step S245, like in Step S240, the CPU 11 determines whether the newIP address of the BOX 30 is currently used by another apparatus inaccordance with the ARP. Then, when the new IP address is currently used(Yes in Step S245), the process proceeds to Step S250, whereas when thenew IP address is not currently used (No in Step S245), the CPU 11terminates the display process.

Here, the case of determining in Step S245 that the new IP address ofthe BOX 30 is currently used is a case of receiving a packet includingthe MAC address of an apparatus which is different from the BOX 30 andfor which the new IP address is already set, in response to thebroadcast packet designating the new IP address of the BOX 30. Further,the case of determining in Step S245 that the new IP address of the BOX30 is not currently used is a case where the CPU 11 does not receive apacket including the MAC address of an apparatus which is different fromthe BOX 30, from the different apparatus.

In Step S250, the CPU 11 displays a warning screen indicating that thenew setting value of the network item of the MFP 10 or the BOX 30 has anerror, on the LCD 19, and the process proceeds to Step S220. FIG. 5Cshows an example of a warning screen 320 which is displayed when the MFP10, the BOX 30, and the Gateway are not located in the same network. Onthe warning screen 320, different portions in the network portions of IPaddresses of the MFP 10 and the BOX 30 and the Gateway address aredisplayed in a mode different from that of the other portions (a formdifferent in background). Also, when the new IP address of the MFP 10 orthe new IP address of the BOX 30 is currently used, a message indicatingthat the new IP address is currently used may be displayed on thewarning screen.

[Effects]

In the communication system 1 of the present illustrative embodiment,when using the MFP 10 to change the setting values of the network itemsof the BOX 30, communication using broadcast packets is performedbetween the MFP 10 and the BOX 30. Therefore, even when the settingvalues of the network items of the BOX 30 are not appropriate such thatunicast communication cannot be performed between the MFP 10 and the BOX30, it is possible to use the MFP 10 to reliably acquire the currentsetting values of the network items of the BOX 30, and display thecurrent setting values on the setting screen. Also, it is possible toreliably provide the new setting values of the network items to the BOX30, and control the BOX 30 such that the current setting values arechanged to the new setting values. Therefore, even when the BOX 30 doesnot have an operation unit or the like, it is possible to use the MFP 10to reliably set the network items of the BOX 30, and to recovercommunication between the MFP 10 and the BOX 30.

Further, the broadcast packets include the MAC address of the MFP 10 orthe BOX 30. Then, the MFP 10 receives changes of setting values onlywhen the MAC address included in a broadcast packet matches the MACaddress of the MFP 10, and the BOX 30 updates the network items onlywhen the MAC address included in a broadcast packet matches the MACaddress of the BOX 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the settingvalues of the BOX 30 from being changed by a packet received fromanother apparatus.

In the above illustrative embodiment, the MFP 10 is an example of aninformation display apparatus, and the BOX 30 is an example of aninformation providing apparatus.

Further, Step S100 of the setting process is an example of a requesttransmitting means and a request transmitting process, Step S105 is anexample of a request receiving means and a request receiving process,Step S110 is an example of a specific information transmitting means anda specific information transmitting process, Step S115 is an example ofa specific information receiving means and a specific-informationreceiving process, and Step S130 is an example of a new setting valuetransmitting means. Furthermore, Step S145 is an example of a newsetting value receiving means, Step S150 is an example of a changingmeans, Step S155 is an example of an acquisition method determiningmeans, Step S160 is an example of an IP address acquiring means, andStep S165 is an example of an IP address transmitting means.

Also, Step S205 of the display process is an example of a setting valuedetermining means, Step S210 is an example of a display control means,Step S215 is an example of a display control means and a display controlprocess, Step S220 is an example of a setting value change detectingmeans and an IP address change detecting means, Step S225 is an exampleof a display control means, and Step S230 is an example of anacquisition method determining means. Further, Step S235 is an exampleof a network determining means, Steps S240 and S245 are example of acommand transmitting means and a command receiving means, and Step S250is an example of a display control means.

Other Illustrative Embodiment

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto certain illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

(1) In the above-described illustrative embodiment, the MFP 10 and theBOX 30 are connected by the wireless LAN. However, the present inventionis not limited thereto. The MFP 10 and the BOX 30 may be connectedthrough any other network such as a wired LAN. Even in this case,similar effects can be achieved.

Also, not only with respect to the network items but also with respectto other items of the MFP 10 or the BOX 30, the setting values may bechanged in the similar manner. Even in this case, the MFP 10 can be usedto reliability change the setting values of the other items of the BOX30.

Also, the present invention is not limited to the MFP 10 and the BOX 30,but can be applied to two apparatuses connected to a network. Betweenthose apparatuses, communication using broadcast packets through thenetwork can be performed in the similar manner as that in the presentillustrative embodiment, whereby one apparatus can be used to reliablychange the setting values of the other apparatus.

(2) Also, in Steps S100 and S105 of the present illustrative embodiment,the broadcast packets including the MAC address of the MFP 10 or the BOX30 are used. However, a broadcast packet which does not includeinformation such as a MAC address may be used. In this case, the MFP 10can be used to more reliably acquire the setting values of the networkitems related to an apparatus other than the BOX 30, and to improveconvenience.

(3) Also, in the above described illustrative embodiment, aconfiguration for changing the setting values of the MFP 10 or the BOX30 through the operation keys 18 or LCD 19 of the MFP 10 has beenexemplified. However, for example, a web server function may be set upin the MFP 10, and a setting screen for performing setting of the MFP 10or the BOX 30 may be displayed on a web browser of a PC or the likeconnected to the wireless LAN, and the setting values may be changedaccording to an instruction input through the web browser. Even in thiscase, the similar effects can be achieved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication system comprising an informationdisplay apparatus and an information providing apparatus whichcommunicate image data with each other through a network, wherein theinformation display apparatus includes: a first processor; and firstmemory storing first computer-readable instructions, the firstcomputer-readable instructions, when executed by the first processor,causing the information display apparatus to execute operationsincluding: transmitting, through the network, an informationtransmission request for requesting transmission of specific informationrelated to the information providing apparatus to a plurality ofapparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication,receiving the specific information transmitted, through the network,from the information providing apparatus to a plurality of apparatusesconnected to the network by broadcast communication, as a response tothe information transmission request; and controlling a display unit todisplay the specific information received as the response to theinformation transmission request, and wherein the information providingapparatus includes: a second processor; and second memory storing secondcomputer-readable instructions, the second computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the second processor, causing theinformation providing apparatus to execute operations including;receiving the information transmission request transmitted, through thenetwork, from the information display apparatus to a pluralityapparatuses connected to the network by broadcast communication; andtransmitting the specific information, through the network, to aplurality of apparatuses connected to the network by broadcastcommunication in response to receiving the information transmissionrequest.
 2. An information display apparatus configured to communicateimage data with an information providing apparatus through a network,the information display apparatus comprising: a processor; and memorystoring computer-readable instructions, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the informationdisplay apparatus to execute operations including: transmitting, throughthe network, an information transmission request for requestingtransmission of specific information related to the informationproviding apparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to thenetwork by broadcast communication; receiving the specific informationtransmitted, through the network, from the information providingapparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network bybroadcast communication, as a response to the information transmissionrequest; and controlling a display unit to display the specificinformation received as the response to the information transmissionrequest.
 3. The information display apparatus according to claim 2,wherein each of a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network hasunique identification information, wherein the transmitting operationtransmits the information transmission request including at least one ofproviding-side identification information of the information providingapparatus and display-side identification information of the informationdisplay apparatus, and wherein when the receiving operation receives theproviding-side identification information or the display-sideidentification information together with the specific information, thecontrolling operation controls the display unit to display the specificinformation.
 4. The information display apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the specific information includes information representing acurrent providing-side setting value of the information providingapparatus, wherein each of a plurality of apparatuses connected to thenetwork has unique identification information, and wherein theoperations further include transmitting, through the network, newsetting value information including: at least one of providing-sideidentification information of the information providing apparatus anddisplay-side identification information of the information displayapparatus; and a new providing-side setting value for updating theproviding-side setting value, by broadcast communication.
 5. Theinformation display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the specificinformation includes a plurality of current providing-side settingvalues for a plurality of items of the information providing apparatus,wherein the plurality of items include a common item and an individualitem other than the common item, wherein the common item is an item, forwhich a providing-side setting value set in the information providingapparatus should match a display-side setting value set in theinformation display apparatus, wherein the operations further includedetermining whether the providing-side setting value and thedisplay-side setting value for the common item are same, and wherein thecontrolling operation controls the display unit to display aproviding-side setting value for the individual item, a display-sidesetting value for the individual item, either one the providing-sidesetting value and the display-side setting value for the common item,and information indicating that the providing-side setting value and thedisplay-side setting value for the common item are different from eachother if it is determined that the providing-side setting value and thedisplay-side setting value for the common item are different from eachother.
 6. The information display apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the plurality of items include a network item related to thenetwork, wherein the network item includes, as the common item, anaddress acquisition item, for which an IP address acquiring method isset, wherein the operations further include: determining whether a newaddress acquisition setting value newly set for the address acquisitionitem represents an acquisition method of manually acquiring an IPaddress, and when it is determined that the new address acquisitionsetting value represents the acquisition method of manually acquiring anIP address, determining whether new providing-side setting value for thenetwork item and new display-side setting value for the network item aresetting values causing the information providing apparatus and theinformation display apparatus to be located in the same network, andwherein when it is determined that the new providing-side setting valueand the new display-side setting value are not the setting valuescausing the information providing apparatus and the information displayapparatus to be located in the same network, the controlling operationcontrols the display unit to display information representing thatsettings related to the network have an error.
 7. The informationdisplay apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the network item furtherincludes an IP address item as an individual item, and a gateway addressitem as a common item, wherein the operations further include detectingan input operation to change the providing-side setting value or thedisplay-side setting value displayed on the display unit, and whereinwhen the detecting operation detects an input operation to change one ofa providing-side setting value for the IP address item, a display-sidesetting value for the IP address item, and a gateway setting value forthe gateway address item, the control operation controls the displayunit to display the providing-side setting value and the display-sidesetting value for the IP address item, and the gateway setting value tobe updated in response to the input operation.
 8. The informationdisplay apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the detecting operationdetects an input operation to change a specific portion of apredetermined setting value which is one of the providing-side settingvalue for the IP address item, the display-side setting value for the IPaddress item and the gateway setting value, and does not detect an inputoperation to change the specific portion of the other setting values,and wherein the specific portion is a portion which should have the samevalue among the providing-side setting value for the IP address item,the display-side setting value for the IP address item and the gatewaysetting value.
 9. The information display apparatus according to claim6, wherein the network item further includes an IP address item, forwhich an IP address is set, wherein the operations further include:detecting an input operation to change a providing-side IP address whichis the providing-side setting value for the IP address item, andtransmitting, through the network, a confirmation command including anew IP address which is the providing-side IP address changed by theinput operation, by broadcast communication; and receiving a responsecommand including identification information of an apparatus, for whichthe new IP address is set, as a response to the confirmation command,from the apparatus, and wherein when receiving the response command froman apparatus other than the information providing apparatus, thecontrolling operation controls the display unit to display informationrepresenting that the new IP address cannot be used.
 10. An informationproviding apparatus configured to communicate image data with aninformation display apparatus through a network, the informationproviding apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory storingcomputer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, causing the information providing apparatusto execute operations including: receiving an information transmissionrequest transmitted, through the network, from the information displayapparatus to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network bybroadcast communication, the information transmission request requestingtransmission of specific information related to the informationproviding apparatus; and transmitting, through the network, the specificinformation to a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network bybroadcast communication in response to receiving the informationtransmission request.
 11. The information providing apparatus accordingto claim 10, wherein the receiving operation receives the informationtransmission request including identification information uniquely setto each of a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network, whereinwhen the received information transmission request includes at least oneof providing-side identification information of the informationproviding apparatus and display-side identification information of theinformation display apparatus, the transmitting operation transmits thespecific information, and wherein when the received informationtransmission request does not include the providing-side identificationinformation of the information providing apparatus nor the display-sideidentification information of the information providing apparatus, thetransmitting operation does not transmits the specific information. 12.The information providing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thespecific information includes a current providing-side setting value ofthe information providing apparatus, and wherein the operations furtherinclude: receiving new setting value information which is transmittedfrom the information display apparatus through the network by broadcastcommunication and which includes: at least one of providing-sideidentification information of the information providing apparatus anddisplay-side identification information of the information displayapparatus; and a new providing-side setting value for updating theproviding-side setting value; and updating the providing-side settingvalue with the new providing-side setting value included in the newsetting value information when receiving the new setting valueinformation.
 13. The information providing apparatus according to claim12, wherein the specific information includes information representing aplurality of providing-side setting values for a plurality of items ofthe information providing apparatus, wherein the plurality of itemsinclude an IP address item for which an IP address is set, and anaddress acquisition item for which an IP address acquiring method isset, and wherein the operations further include: determining whether anew providing-side setting value for the address acquisition itemrepresents an acquisition method of automatically acquiring an IPaddress; when it is determined that the new providing-side setting valuefor the address acquisition item represents the acquisition method ofautomatically acquiring an IP address, acquiring a new IP address froman IP address providing server; and transmitting, through the network,the new IP address and at least one of the providing-side identificationinformation and the display-side identification information, bybroadcast communication.